Author: Tara Sue Me
Dena glanced back at him and nodded, a look of anticipation on her face.
Damn. She probably thinks I want to play.
Not that it would be unheard of. They had played together before. She was an attractive woman and had fully embraced her submissive spirit. He had asked himself before why the two of them had never been a couple, but never came up with an acceptable answer. Finally, he chalked it up to not being ready for a serious relationship.
Once in the kitchen, he poured her a glass of water and pulled a chair out for her.
“Thanks,” she said, sitting down. She cocked her head. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, of course. ” He poured himself a glass and sat across from her. “What did you think of Ron?”
“He has potential. I’ve served worse. ” The corner of her lip upturned a bit. “Of course, I’ve served better. ”
Her sly comment drew his thoughts to the last time they’d played. Surprisingly, though, the memories dimmed in comparison with the fantasies he’d had of the florist. Unbidden, the image of her on her knees before him beckoned.
Stop! He clenched his fist. He would master his thoughts. They would not get the better of him. He forced his attention on the conversation at hand. “I think he shows potential as well. An eager learner. ”
Daniel had lived the lifestyle of a Dom for over ten years, been a mentor for five. In that time, he’d seen plenty of men, and women, who wanted to become Doms or Dommes. Often, it never worked because they saw BDSM as a way to meet their own needs, to control, to exert power over a submissive. And while there was a place for that in his view of a power exchange, so much more important, he thought, was the protective care a Dom took of his submissive. How he graciously took her trust and used it to bring them both pleasure.
His thoughts once more drifted back to the florist. What would it be like to be entrusted with her submission? He pictured her bent over his table in the playroom downstairs: ass facing him, legs spread, her body willing and eager for whatever he chose to do to it.
His c**k hardened just thinking about it.
“You seem a bit distracted today, sir. ”
“Sir” was how submissives in their group were to address Doms when not out in public. Daniel had given Dena permission to use his name when they weren’t in a scene, so it wasn’t difficult to see she’d addressed him more formally as a subtle hint of her interest in playing.
He needed to get her focus on something else. “I’ve just got a lot on my mind lately. ” Before she could offer to distract him, he continued. “I told Ron to call you in the next day or two, so let me know if he doesn’t. I’d also like your thoughts on areas he needs help in. ”
She nodded, unsurprised. She had worked with Doms in training before and knew what was expected. “I’ll e-mail you by the end of the week. ”
“Anything that happened today you’d like to talk about?”
She shook her head. “Nothing stood out as out of the ordinary or unexpected. ”
“Good. ”
“Are you still planning to speak at the next meeting?”
Their local group held meetings once a month, generally before a party, and he was scheduled to speak at the next one. “Yes. ”
“Let me know if you need help with a demonstration or anything. ”
He felt the need for a long, hard jog. It was time for her to leave. He drained the last bit of his water and pushed his chair back. “I think I’ll be fine, but thank you for the offer. Come on. I’ll walk you out. ”
She didn’t so much as move and her lips curled up into a sly smile. “I was rather hoping we could spend some more time in your playroom, sir. ”
It would be so easy. A simple word, a slight nod of his head, and she would be his for the next hour or so. She offered her body for his pleasure and a part of him wanted to take it. To use it. To use her. But the larger part of him knew he wasn’t in the right frame of mind for the playroom. To take her there would be greedy and unwise. So he held his need in check and simply shook his head.
“Not today, Dena. ” He stroked her cheek hoping to ease any embarrassment on her part. “I need to run and make a few phone calls. ”
As soon as she left, he changed and went for his run. Afterward, he showered and then flipped his laptop open and scrolled through the e-mails his administrative assistant had sent him over the last few weeks. Something had sprung to his mind during his run and he knew from past experience his mind wouldn’t rest until he checked it out. He looked through all the e-mails searching for one in particular.
And there it was.
He skimmed the e-mail and drummed his fingers on the tabletop for just a second or two before sending a reply.
• • •
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me we had a gig with Weston Bank. ” Julie slammed and locked her car door as she shot Sasha a nasty look. “Daniel Covington probably thinks I’m an idiot for not mentioning it last week. ”
Sasha had oh so slyly mentioned yesterday that they had a meeting at the bank at two o’clock today to discuss floral arrangements for the black-tie melanoma fund-raiser in two weeks.
Sasha walked beside her. “Seriously, Jules, I’m sure Daniel Covington has no idea who’s providing flowers. ”
Tap. Tap. Tap. Julie concentrated on the sound her heels made on the sidewalk. She couldn’t afford to be flustered at this meeting. The benefit was a big event and if everything went well, it could lead to larger jobs in the future. Besides, Sasha had done the right thing. Had Julie known about the meeting, she’d only have worried about it. Odds were, Daniel probably thought flowers appeared out of thin air.
“You’re right. Besides, it’s not like you knew he’d be stopping by with his grandmother,” Julie said, pushing open the door. “This meeting goes well, I’m taking you to dinner. ”
“Thank goodness, all I have at my place is an overripe banana. ”
The front desk receptionist took their names and then showed them to a small conference room. “Mr. Covington will be right with you. ”
Julie’s head spun to Sasha. “What did she say?”
Sasha looked just as surprised. “Apparently he has an idea about the flowers after all. ”
Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how she looked at it, Julie didn’t have time to dwell on anything. Within mere seconds, the door opened and Daniel breezed into the room. He wore a light gray suit and a bright blue tie that complemented his eyes. There was a look of momentary surprise as he noticed Sasha, but he was all smiles when he turned to Julie and held out his hand.
“Ms. Masterson, good to see you again. My niece loved the roses. ”